World Mental Health Day – Report urges more mental health training is required for managers

October 10th, 2017

FOLLOWING recent findings from Business in the Community’s (BITC) annual well-being survey, less than 24% of managers in the workplace have received training in mental health. Are employers acknowledging their duty of care in employee mental health?

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According to the Mental Health Foundation, mental health problems affect about one in 10 children and young people. Yet, only a third of young professionals (18-29 years old) feel comfortable approaching management about their mental health issues.

In addition to this, older colleagues are not at risk of the same stigma – almost half of people in their 40s feel comfortable discussing mental health with management.

This shows that young people in particular could be most at risk of forming a mental health issue, with work being a contributing factor.

It’s shocking to think that 76% of managers have not received any mental health training.

According to the annual survey detailed in the BITC report, this is despite 84% of employers understanding that they have a responsibility toward their employees’ mental well-being.

But, perhaps the bigger question is, what role should an employer play in their employees’ mental health?

Counselling Directory member, Heidi Marson, explains “Employers can play a helpful part in recognising and supporting employees by viewing the employee as a ‘whole person’ and appreciating that the individual may need support.”

When should a person go to their manager, rather than handling it on their own outside of work (via GP or counsellor)?

Heidi explains “Employers can often provide easily accessible resources for employees with mental health issues and be in a position to provide a timely, multi-strand support package that outside agencies, such as the NHS, are unable to provide.”

“An employer may be able to provide help and advice for the key concerns of an employee, such as financial issues, or legal disputes. Other examples include, flexible working, access to counselling or giving them space to discuss the issues they are facing.”

When work becomes detrimental to an employee’s mental health, the employer is morally responsible for that, perhaps. But, if an employee has existing mental health issues, is an employer responsible for this too?

Heidi believes that employers can play a vital part in supporting employees with existing mental health issues, particularly through well-being incentives.

“Well–being programmes needn’t be costly, for example, lunchtime walks, yoga and mindfulness are all extremely effective in improving well-being. Programmes can be led by employees for the employees, which raises awareness and encourages engagement.”

BITC suggest senior leadership in many organisations (including owners and board members) claim that employee mental health and well-being is a priority in the workplace.

On the other hand, the survey results suggest this a merely an aspiration – as management and employees disagree with the reality of mental health in the workplace.

Whilst there is evidence of a strong relationship between levels of staff well-being, motivation and performance, at present, there appears to be a gap between the support that employees require in supporting their mental health, and what their managers have been trained to provide.

Line managers know the importance of good mental health, but there is perhaps a lack of support in providing the necessary training in order to cater for employee’s needs.